What's Keeping the Music Industry from Discovering You?

There’s no doubt about it, Facebook can be a frustrating experience. Just when you overcome one hurdle to have your posts appear in a newsfeed, they create another algorithm and you have to start all over again.

The truth is music industry people may be using your Facebook page as a main mode of research. And you will never know they’ve been there unless they like the page, leave a comment or like a post. And that is rarely their purpose.

You need to look at your page as your own personal Yellow Pages with all the relevant information for people to get a hold of you and give them confidence you are ready to be discovered.

The following are the most common mistakes keeping bands from going to the next level.

1. Cover photo

Your cover photo often gives the first impression so you want to make sure it reflects what you are trying to get across. If your goal is to get covered on Consequence of Sound, then make sure that picture would appeal to someone at Consequence of Sound. Don’t know what they are looking for? Head over to their website to see the types of images they use. Also know blogs will often pull photos from your photo gallery so be sure to include legitimate publicity photos with a link to a hi-res photo in the description. I personally often use Facebook as a first step when scouting new bands. If I see a cover shot of what looks like a local live show at a dive bar or something shot quickly by a group of friends, the band will immediately be thrown out of consideration before even listening to the tunes. Check out Sara Wilson’s post on publicity photos do’s and dont’s to increase your chances of industry attention.

2. Link back to other social networks and your website

Include all of your social networks (Twitter, tumblr, Soundcloud) in your about us section so people can follow you on those networks as well. Make sure you have a link back to your website listed in that section.

3. Let us hear your music!

This one kills me and it happens way more than it should. The band doesn’t include any links to hear their music or they expect someone to go to itunes to listen to a 30 second snippet. If you want the industry person to discover you, then you need to make it easy for them to hear your music. You SHOULD NOT be creating a giant hurdle for a booking agent, record label, blog, or music pr firm. Make it easy for them (and your fans) by embedding Bandcamp and Reverbnation apps directly on your page. You could also create a post with the Spotify link to your album, single or playlist of your music and then pinning it to the top of your page. (PS. Please don’t make someone like your page to hear your music. People should be liking your page because they’ve heard your music and love it).

4. Bio

What’s your story? What makes you different from every other “unique” band out there who is “like no one else.”

5. Band member names and instrumentation

When I discover a band I like I send a personalized email with the members names instead of a generic “Hey _____ band, We really dig what you are doing.” That may not be incentive enough to include the members names, but knowing a blogger who is interested in covering your music could. They will often use this information to write their features.

6. Contact Info/Email Address

This should be self-explanatory, you really don’t want an industry person to try to track down your contact info. Most will simply move on, which becomes a missed opportunity for you. Now you may be thinking, they can just Facebook message me or tweet at me. If you want to be discovered, you need to meet them where they are at. I personally don't like to Facebook message, because I prefer to keep that part of my life separate and reserved for personal use only.

7. Keep Your Newsfeed Fresh

Show you are active and know what you are trying to convey. the biggest issue is I see is when the and is hunkered down in the studio. It's as they were kidnapped and disappeared without a trace. An industry person may not know you are recording if you don't tell them. Instead, they'll just think your band broke up, you're no longer active, or you don't know who to use social media. If you are in the studio, document the process by showing pictures and/or vidoe of you in the studio and maybe even leak out a snippet of a song. If you are playing shows, include photos on the road to give an inside look, great photos of you on stage, or people in your audience.

8. Genre

What do you sound like? If you are indie folk, make sure you say that, so an indie folk fan can quickly and easily know they should give you a listen.

Green Light Go: Go through your Facebook page now and make sure you have all the components necessary to help the industry find you!

Sharing is Caring: Know someone whose Facebook page could use these updates? Share the link to this article on your Facebook page to get them rolling.

Want to know if your band is media friendly? Get access to our media audit checklist to ensure that your media presence is a good match for your music and will help elevate your appeal to music outlets.

Janelle is the owner of Green Light Go. When she's not spreading the word on her favorite bands she can usually be found riding her road bike through Michigan, designing super hip clothes or analyzing people much to their dismay.Find Out More…

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Janelle only works with artists she believes in 100%. If she's working with you, you'll get 100% of her passion. There's so much more than financial gain when Janelle is involved. It's not just her job it's her life! I adore her!